Michael Jackson is dead and that’s a sad fact for many of his millions of fans and even many of those who were not fans. That, however, is the only thing about the reclusive pop star’s life that is a fact at this time. Everyone from close family to fanatic fans are at a loss for what happened and what was actually going on inside the music icon’s life at the time of his death. It would seem that those who worked closely with Mr. Jackson should know but if they do as individuals as a group it is as confusing a message as any—mixed signals, jumbled statements, and accusations fly from every direction. Will the world ever really know what was going on with Michael Jackson or the events leading up to his unexpected death only a few weeks before his huge comeback concert series was set to kick off? It’s doubtful. Like in life, in death Michael Jackson remains reclusive and mysterious.
Along with the millions of questions of how and why he died there are questions about his estate, and most important of all what will become of his three small children. He left behind 2 sons and a daughter, Prince Michael I, Paris Katherine, and Prince Michael II (often known as Blanket). The eldest two are children of his second marriage to Debbie Rowe and it is thought she still has her parental rights and could seek custody. There is a double tragedy in that if it were to occur: first the children, by all accounts, are not that familiar with Ms. Rowe, and second it would split up the siblings leaving the youngest most likely in the hands of his grandparents Katherine and Joseph Jackson. Michael’s parents and his extensive family support the children staying with their grandparents whom they know well and are now being consoled by as they grief their father.
Michael Jackson was known to the world as many things, but primarily as a master of music and dance who transformed the art and the industry in ways it will always be impacted by. To his family he was so much more, a son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. To his children he was simply: daddy. He was a man of many talents, secrets, and inner demons but he will always be a shining star.